Multiple outlet switching valve granular material



United States Patent [72] Inventor Clarence A. Christensen 1002 Blaine St., IIoldrege, Nebr. 68949 [21] Appl. No. 749,687 [22] Filed Aug. 2, 1968 [45] Patented Dec. 29, 1970 [54] MULTIPLE OUTLET SWITCHING VALVE FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL 1 Claim, 1 Drawing Fig.

[51] Int. Cl Fl6k 11/00 [50] Field of Search 251/298, 299;137/609,6l0,6l1,612;14l/3l7 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.331.394 7/1967 l-lefler et al. 137/610 3,380,475 4/ l968 Armstrong 137/609 FOREIGN PATENTS 202,428 3/1959 Austria 137/609 Primary Examiner-William R. Cline Attorney-Dodge and Ostmann ABSTRACT: A switching valve for use in directing delivery of granular material from an inlet to a selected one of two outlets. A hinged valve member is provided in each outlet, The valve members are connected together for simultaneous movement, one outlet being fully open when the other is fully closed. A receiver is located between the outlets and beneath the inlet. Grain accumulates in this receiver and serves as a cushion to prevent degradation of the grain and protects the valve body from wear.

PATENTEUnEc29|9m 3.550.622

INVKNTOR CLARENCE A. CHRISTENSEN ATTORNENS MULTIPLE OUTLET SWITCHING VALVE FOR GRANULAR MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved switching valve in which the flowing grain is protected from degradation and which is securely held in either of two selected positions. The body of the grain valve has a vertical inlet for connection to a chute or conduit through which flows a descending grain column. The body has two opposed lateral outlets which may be connected to delivery chutes. A hinged valve plate is mounted in each outlet to control grain flow through the associated outlet. Each plate is hinged at its upper edge to a sidewall of the valve body. In closed position, the plate blocks the associated outlet. In open position, the plate lies against the upper surface of the outlet connection and is thereby protected from unnecessary wear. The valve plates are connected together for simultaneous movement in reverse senses. An overcenter mechanism insures movement of the valve plates to the selected limiting position in which one outlet is open and the other is closed. A receiver is formed in the valve body between the two outlets and beneath the inlet. Grain will accumulate in this receiver and provide a surface against which the flowing grain will impinge in passing through the switching valve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The preferred embodiment of the valve is shown in the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a side elevation, partly in section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The valve body has an inlet 11 and a receiver 12 beneath the inlet. Two outlets 13 and 14 extend laterally from the valve body. Valve plates 15 and 16 control outlets 13 and 14, respectively. Each valve plate is pivotally connected at its upper edge to the valve body. The hinge pins appear at 17 and 18. Each pin is connected fast to the corresponding valve plate and is joumaled in the walls of the valve body. A lever 19 is connected to the projecting end of pin 17, and lever 21 is similarly connected to pin 18. A connecting link 22 is connected between the free ends of levers 19 and 21.

The valve plates are shiftable by means of an actuating linkage which includes a rock shaft 23 mounted in journals connected to the valve body and rocker bar 24 connected fast to the shaft 23. An actuator link 25 is connected to the center of bar 24 and extends upward past the connecting link 22. Link 25 is provided with a longitudinal slot 26 which receives a pin 27 which projects from the connecting link 22. A tension spring 28 extends between the link 22 and the end of actuator link 25. This spring serves to insure movement of the valve plates 15 and 16 fully into the selected one of two extreme positions.

The valve of this invention performs only a switching function, and it is necessary to have a cutoff valve. usually in the inlet column, which controls grain flow.

Operation the closed outlet 13 than on the side adjacent theopen outlet. The accumulated gram acts as a cushion for the diverted grain and also serves to protect the metallic valve surfaces from erosion and wear by the flowing grain.

It is a significant feature of this switching valve that neither plate 15 nor 16 is subject to heavy wear in either limiting position. This greatly increases the useful life of the valve as contrasted to other valves which are presently available.

When it is desired to switch the grain flow from outlet 14 to outlet 13, the lefthand end of rocker bar 24 is pulled downward which causes plate 16 to move in a closing direction and plate 15 to move in an opening direction. As the bar 24 passes the horizontal position, spring 28 starts to assist the operator and the valve plates move fully to the desired positions in which they are securely held by the spring 28. This overcenter action of spring 28 is important, but other mechanisms could be used to accomplish this same purpose.-

While I have described herein the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the following claim provides the sole measure of the scope of the invention.

I claim:

l. A switching valve for controlling the flowof granular material comprising:

a. a valve body having a substantially vertical inlet connection opening into its upper end and having vertical sidewalls;

b. opposed, laterally extending outlet connections opening through said sidewalls of the valve body;

c. a valve plate mounted in each outlet connection and pivoted at its upper edge, the axis of the pivot being adjacent the upper margin of the associated outlet, each plate swingable outward between limits from closed position in which it is aligned with the sidewall to open position;

d. actuating means connected with the valve plates and effective to move the valve plates between a first position in which one outlet is open and the other outlet is closed, and a second position in which said one outlet is closed and said other outlet is open;

e. means effective to hold said valve plates in each limiting position; and

f. a receiving chamber formed in the valve body aligned with the inlet opening and beneath the outlet openings. 

